Portal:Sex work

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Introduction

Sex work is "the exchange of sexual services, performances, or products for material compensation. It includes activities of direct physical contact between buyers and sellers as well as indirect sexual stimulation". Sex work only refers to voluntary sexual transactions; thus, the term does not refer to human trafficking and other coerced or nonconsensual sexual transactions such as child prostitution. The transaction must take place between consenting adults of the legal age and mental capacity to consent and must take place without any methods of coercion, other than payment. The term emphasizes the labor and economic implications of this type of work. Furthermore, some prefer the use of the term because it grants more agency to the sellers of these services. (Full article...)

Selected article - show another

The decriminalization of sex work is the removal of criminal penalties for sex work (specifically, prostitution). Sex work, the consensual provision of sexual services for money or goods, is criminalized in most countries. Decriminalization is distinct from legalization (also known as the "regulationist" approach).

Advocates of decriminalization argue that removing the criminal sanctions surrounding sex work creates a safer environment for sex workers, and that it helps fight sex trafficking. Opponents of decriminalization argue that it will not prevent trafficking (or even increase trafficking) and could put sex workers at greater risk. Evidence demonstrates that decriminalization is an evidence-based harm reduction approach.

Organizations including: the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the World Health Organization (WHO), Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the medical journal The Lancet have called on countries to decriminalize sex work in the global effort to tackle the HIV/AIDS epidemic and ensure sex workers' access to health services. Almost all organisations run by sex workers themselves around the world favour the decriminalisation of sex work, and it tends to be their main goal. (Full article...)

List of selected articles

Selected images

Image 1The Procuress by Dirck van Baburen (1622) (from Prostitution)
Image 2Prostitutes on display in Yoshiwara during the Meiji Period, Japan (from Prostitution)
Image 3Brothel scene; Brunswick Monogrammist, 1537; Gemäldegalerie, Berlin (from Prostitution)
Image 4
  Legalization – prostitution legal and regulated
  Decriminalization – No criminal penalties for prostitution
  Abolitionism – prostitution is legal, but organized activities such as brothels and pimping are illegal; prostitution is not regulated
  Neo-abolitionism – illegal to buy sex and for 3rd party involvement, legal to sell sex
  Prohibitionism – prostitution illegal
  Legality varies with local laws
(from Prostitution)
Image 5Women in an early San Francisco bordello in 1870 (from Prostitution)
Image 6De Wallen red-light district in Amsterdam (from Prostitution)
Image 7Prostitution Information Centre in Amsterdam (from Prostitution)
Image 8Stickers affixed to a payphone in São Paulo, 2006 (from Prostitution)
Image 9Fresco from the Pompeii brothel (from Prostitution)
Image 10Tart cards in a British phone box advertising the services of call girls (from Prostitution)
Image 11A sex worker in Berlin in 2001 (from Sex work)
Image 12A street prostitute talking to a potential customer in Turin, Italy, 2005 (from Prostitution)
Image 13Sex workers demonstrating for better working conditions at the 2009 Marcha Gay in Mexico City (from Sex work)
Image 14World map of pornography (18+) laws
  Pornography legal
  Pornography legal under some restrictions
  Pornography illegal
  Data unavailable
(from Sex work)
Image 15The red light district in Amsterdam (from Sex work)
Image 16An Ancient Greek urn depicts a prostitute and her client. (from Sex work)
Image 17Kisaeng women from outcast or slave families. (from Prostitution)
Image 18Prostitute c. 1890. (from Prostitution)
Image 19A political cartoon from 1787 jesting about the notion of taxation affecting prostitutes (from Prostitution)
Image 20World map of prostitution laws
  Decriminalization – No criminal penalties for prostitution
  Legalization (regulation) – Prostitution legal and regulated
  Abolitionism – Prostitution is legal, but organized activities such as brothels and pimping are illegal; prostitution is not regulated
  Neo-abolitionism (Nordic model) – Illegal to buy sex and for 3rd party involvement, legal to sell sex
  Prohibitionism – Prostitution illegal in all aspects (selling and buying)
  Legality varies with local laws
(from Sex work)
Image 21Statue to honor the sex workers of the world. Installed March 2007 in Amsterdam, Oudekerksplein, in front of the Oude Kerk, in Amsterdam's red-light district De Wallen. Titled Belle, the inscription to the piece says "Respect sex workers all over the world." (from Prostitution)
Image 22News report about three brothels operating in Albuquerque, New Mexico that were raided by police in 1922 (from Prostitution)
Image 23A prostitute in Amsterdam's red-light district talks with a potential customer. (from Prostitution)
Image 24A liberated Chinese girl who had been forced in to sexual slavery by the Japanese military sits on a stretcher and speaks to a British military serviceman. (from Prostitution)
Image 25A prostitute and her customer illustrated on an ancient Greek wine cup; the act of prostitution is indicated by the coin purse above the figures. (from Prostitution)
Image 26A detail from plate 1 of William Hogarth's (1697–1764) The Harlot's Progress, showing brothel-keeper Elizabeth Needham, on the right, procuring a young woman who has just arrived in London (from Prostitution)
Image 27An oiran preparing herself for a client, ukiyo-e print by Suzuki Haronubu (1765) (from Prostitution)

Related portals

Selected general sex worker

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Patricia Rhomberg (born 15 September 1953) is an Austrian former pornographic film actress from the 1970s. (Full article...)
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Benz in 2012

Alla Montchak (Ukrainian Cyrillic: Алла Монтчак), known professionally as Nikki Benz, is a Ukrainian-born, Canadian-raised, American pornographic actress. She was also a 2010 Penthouse Pet who was selected as the 2011 Pet of the Year. (Full article...)
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Mike Adriano (born 30 June 1980) is an adult content producer and director. He has been nominated for best director awards at several recent AVN Award, XBIZ Award and XRCO Award ceremonies. (Full article...)
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Carolin Ebert on 23 October 2010

Sexy Cora (born Carolin Ebert, civil name Carolin Wosnitza; 2 May 1987 – 20 January 2011) was a German pornographic actress, model, singer, exotic dancer, wife of Tim Wosnitza, and reality show participant.

Cora was born in Berlin. She was one of the participants of the 10th season of Big Brother Germany. Cora released two music singles after her Big Brother participation: "My Love – La, La, La" and "Lass uns kicken (Alles klar wunderbar)". (Full article...)
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Teresa Orlowski (born 29 July 1953) is a former German-Polish performer in and a current producer of adult films in Germany. She was one of the biggest European porn stars of the 80s. (Full article...)
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Michele "Midori" Watley in 2006

Michele Watley (born July 19, 1968), better known by her stage name Midori, is an American singer, dancer, model, actress and former pornographic actress. She was inducted into the AVN Hall of Fame in 2009. She was the first African-American woman to win an AVN award, when she was named "Best Supporting Actress" in 2001. Watley was also named one of the top 10 "hottest black porn stars" of all time by Complex and The Independent named her "the queen of the black hardcore market". (Full article...)
Image 7

Ingley at the 1988 International Winter Consumer Electronics Show

Milton Owen Ingley (May 23, 1946 – December 22, 2006), also known as Michael Morrison, was an American pornographic actor, producer, and director.
He was a member the AVN Hall of Fame and the XRCO Hall of Fame. (Full article...)
Image 8

Danger in 2017

Abella Danger (born (1995-11-19)November 19, 1995) is an American pornographic film actress, director, and an erotic model. (Full article...)
Image 9

Jane in 2006

Noname Jane is an American pornographic actress.

In the majority of the pornographic films in which she appeared, she used the stage name Violet Blue. In October 2007, a lawsuit brought by the author Violet Blue charged that Jane had adopted the author's name and persona, prompting Jane to change her stage name to Violetta Blue, and then to Noname Jane, in response to an injunction in the case. (Full article...)
Image 10
Bernie Barker (July 31, 1940 – March 21, 2007) was recognized in July 2003 by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest male stripper. The former nuclear power plant worker and insurance salesman had taken up erotic dancing in 2000 at the age of 60 to keep in shape after surgery for the prostate cancer that would eventually cause his death. Over his stripping career, Barker titled in 42 stripper contests. He appeared on the first season of America's Got Talent in 2006.

Barker's quest to place in Guinness began in 1978 with an unsuccessful bid to claim a record in swimming.
He died after finally losing his battle with prostate cancer on March 21, 2007. (Full article...)
Image 11

Tang at the Erotica Los Angeles June 2006 convention

Felicia Tang (born Felicia Lee; October 22, 1977 – September 11, 2009) was the stage name of an American actress and model known for her work with Playboy TV, calendars, internet sites, and import car shows. (Full article...)
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Von Teese in 2018

Heather Renée Sweet (born September 28, 1972), known professionally as Dita Von Teese, is an American vedette, burlesque dancer, model, and businesswoman. She is credited with re-popularizing burlesque performance, earning the moniker "Queen of Burlesque".

Von Teese has been seen in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, RuPaul's Drag Race, The Masked Dancer, The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell, among other television productions. She is also known for her short marriage to singer Marilyn Manson as well as performing in his music videos. Von Teese has released two books on burlesque history, fetishism and beauty. She has also recorded songs with French musician Sébastien Tellier. She has toured the world with her burlesque shows in cities like London, Berlin, New York and Paris. Among her special guests on the tours are Dirty Martini, Perle Noire, Ginger Valentine, Jett Adore and Playboy model Gia Genevieve. Von Teese has been a special guest at the Parisian venue Crazy Horse several times. Her 2016 show resulted in a DVD release. From 2006 to 2008, Von Teese was a Viva Glam spokesperson for MAC Cosmetics to raise money for HIV/AIDS research. From 2007 to 2013, she was a global ambassador for Cointreau and in 2010–2011 she was the face of Perrier. She has also created four perfumes under the brand Dita Von Teese Perfumes. She also has her own brand of lingerie, as well as stockings under the name Secrets in Lace and luxurious cardigans for Australian online store Wheels & Dollbaby. (Full article...)
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Leonard on the poster of All About Gloria Leonard

Gloria Leonard (born Gale Sandra Klinetsky; August 28, 1940 – February 3, 2014) was an American pornographic actress during the Golden Age of Porn (1969–1984) who later became the publisher of High Society magazine. As a board member of Adult Video Association and its successor the Free Speech Coalition, Leonard was an outspoken advocate for the adult film industry and free speech rights. (Full article...)
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Hay attending the "This Is Our Industry" A.I.M. Fundraiser Party at Les Deux, Hollywood, California, November 2009

Derek Andrew Hay (born 12 August 1964), also known by his stage name Ben English, is a British pornographic actor and the founder and owner of the adult talent agencies LA Direct Models and Miamp Direct Models. He semi-retired from performing in the late 2000s after appearing in nearly 800 movies. However, he has since then appeared in several movies. He appeared most recently in Digital Playground's Trading Mothers for Daughters, released on 10 August 2014.

Before founding LA Direct Models in 2000, Hay worked as a stage manager in London for acts including The Rolling Stones, Queen, and Metallica. (Full article...)
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Vespoli at the 2014 AVN Awards

Dana Vespoli is an American pornographic actress and film director. (Full article...)
Image 16

Dehar in September 2016

Zahia Dehar (born 25 February 1992) is an Algerian-French fashion and lingerie designer, model, actress and former sex worker.

Dehar is best known for having been involved in a sex scandal involving footballers at a time when she was an underage escort. (Full article...)
Image 17

Borden in 2012

Janet Romano-Zicari (born December 20, 1976), better known as Lizzy Borden, is an American former pornographic actress and professional wrestler. (Full article...)
Image 18
Marble portrait herm identified by an inscription as Aspasia, possibly copied from her grave.

Aspasia (/æˈspeɪʒ(i)ə, -ziə, -ʃə/; Greek: Ἀσπασία Greek: [aspasíaː]; c. 470 – after 428 BC) was a metic woman in Classical Athens. Born in Miletus, she moved to Athens and began a relationship with the statesman Pericles, with whom she had a son, Pericles the Younger. According to the traditional historical narrative, she worked as a courtesan and was tried for asebeia (impiety), though modern scholars have questioned the factual basis for either of these claims, which both derive from ancient comedy. Though Aspasia is one of the best-attested women from the Greco-Roman world, and the most important woman in the history of fifth-century Athens, almost nothing is certain about her life.

Aspasia was portrayed in Old Comedy as a prostitute and madam, and in ancient philosophy as a teacher and rhetorician. She has continued to be a subject of both visual and literary artists until the present. From the twentieth century, she has been portrayed as both a sexualised and sexually liberated woman, and as a feminist role model fighting for women's rights in ancient Athens. (Full article...)
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Jerry Butler (May 13, 1959 – January 27, 2018) was an American pornographic film actor. His career lasted from 1981 to 1993, and included more than 500 films. (Full article...)
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De'Nyle in 2005

Jewel De'Nyle is an American former pornographic actress and director. She is a member of the NightMoves, AVN, and XRCO Halls of Fame. (Full article...)
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Siffredi in 2016

Rocco Siffredi (born Rocco Antonio Tano; 4 May 1964) is an Italian pornographic actor, director and producer. Known as the "Italian Stallion", Siffredi has starred in more than 1,300 pornographic films since 1986.

Siffredi is known for his rough style of pornography, often involving anal sex, spitting, slapping and choking, his collaboration with the pornographic studio Evil Angel, as well as his own productions. (Full article...)
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Hatano in 2016
Yui Hatano (Japanese: 波多野結衣/はたのゆい, Hepburn: Hatano Yui, Born 24 May 1988) is a Japanese porn actress. Boasting one of the longest and most prolific careers in Japanese pornography, Hatano has made appearances in over 3000 adult films so far, thus making her one of the most popular and recognizable faces in AV. Her popularity crossed over into mainstream entertainment (with appearances in theatrical films) and international territories as well, earning her the nickname "Sekai no Hatano" ("The World's Hatano"). As of 2019 she is represented by the AV agency T-Powers. She was also a member of the idol group T♡Project. (Full article...)
Image 23

Tayler at the 2011 AVN Awards

Lizz Tayler (born June 9, 1990) is an American former pornographic actress. (Full article...)
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Yoshikawa in 2017
Aimi Yoshikawa (Japanese: 吉川あいみ, Hepburn: Yoshikawa Aimi) (born 20 March 1994) is a Japanese gravure idol, actress, and retired AV idol. Active between 2012 and 2018, she starred in over 200 adult films during her career and was known for her short height and large breasts. (Full article...)
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Bobby Astyr (November 14, 1937 – April 7, 2002) was an American pornographic film actor.

Prior to becoming involved in pornography, Astyr was a musician. He made his debut in porn in 1974 and appeared in many films, including Barbara Broadcast in 1977, where he performed as the Maitre d' in an elegant New York City hotel restaurant. Usually cast in comedic roles, he was dubbed "The Clown Prince of Porno". Astyr retired in the mid-1980s. He often performed with Samantha Fox, with whom he was in a long-term relationship. Later in his life, Astyr served on the board of directors of a housing project in New York's East Village. After battling lung cancer on and off for five or six years, Astyr died in April 2002. (Full article...)

Did you know...

... that a Harvey's franchise known for being a hub for sex work was described by one artist as a "legendary Toronto icon"?
... that Lea Ackermann, a German nun of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa, fought against forced prostitution and sex tourism in East Africa?
... that the posthumously released documentary Clean centered on the life of Sandra Pankhurst, a former sex worker, drag queen, and crime scene cleaner?